All posts for the month May, 2013

When I was growing up, I would often tell people I had the best big sister in the world. I would tell them that because it was true.

Reaching the masses to spread that gospel though, was a little cumbersome. Let’s face it. It had to be a person-to-person messaging campaign. Reach and frequency was low!

Today though, with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and all the other flavors of social media out there, I can actually tell the world that very same message from all those years ago and it is as easy as a few key strokes (including one last spell check). I can share this message again — because it is still true.

Why now? Now, because my sister Julie is about to turn 50. And, at such a significant milestone, it seems appropriate to express my love for her and my appreciation of her for all the great things she’s done for me over the years. Not that I don’t love her and appreciate her every day. I do. Again, it’s ‘the 50 thing.’

If you’re thinking, ‘Hey Joe — just give her a card that expresses how you feel about her.’ I’ll do that. But somehow, telling the world how amazing she is seems more fitting. So that’s what I am doing.

Over the years Julie has supported me in more ways than I can remember and never once did she do it with the expectation of a ‘thank you’. She just did it. I recall how she helped me financially — when I was a struggling and irresponsible college kid. More importantly, she supported me emotionally when ‘life’ happened along the way — in both good and not so good ways. But that’s what’s so great. She’s tied-in so tightly to all the things that I look back on as significant in my life.

I don’t see Julie as much as I would like to. We’re all so busy. But I think of her every day. And when I think of her, it’s always a good feeling. I think of her when I hear certain songs (anything by the Indigo Girls) — I think of her when I hear the phrase ‘great parent’ because she is one, along with her partner Cheri. The list could go on.

So, in closing, I simply say, “Happy 50th Birthday Julie. Thank you for being the greatest big sister in the world.” And, I am sure our brother Ed feels the same about his little sister. And now the world knows too!

I have checked Amazon.com. I’ve walked the aisles in all the big box retailers. I’ve even checked out some garage sales. And still, I cannot find this thing called lightning in a bottle.

The stuff must be rare!

In the business world that’s certainly a true statement. It exists, just not as frequently as we’d like to think.

What is not in short supply? Great (or at least ‘good’) ideas on how to grow a business or brand, and smart strategies to bring those ideas to market.

Many times though, the third piece is missing; simultaneous and superlative execution of all of the above. And let’s face it — all of the above are required. And all of them take time.

I can’t take credit for this but I do want to share it. It’s a great line. And it goes like this: “Bad or poorly executed ideas have nowhere to hide.” I got that from an article on the website strategy+business.

And I believe it.

I will tell you, that the old ‘gut instinct’ or that ‘hunch’ or that ‘feeling in my bones’ are probably not the kinds of things you want to base major decisions on. It’s a little like gambling in Vegas — it can be a crap shoot.

When businesses ask me to help them with a brand re-launch or the introduction of a new product, I tell them what I will tell you here and now.

Have a good sense of what your customers see as your greatest customer value proposition (not YOUR assesment — theirs). By way of example, there is a reason (my customer value proposition) why I will drive 32.6 miles for my favorite pizza and not think twice about it.

Always be in a constant mode of super-serving your customers’ needs.

Consider all the things you do well. And then ask, “What are the systems and processes tied to those initiatives that can also be applied to other growth opportunities for my business?”

Look across the street — to your competitors and determine the areas where they lead and where they are soft. Your opportunity may rest in knowing how to attract their least satisfied customers.

Research! Research! Research!

That last one is an important one. It’s not enough anymore to simply be ‘open for business’. To succeed, or lead in a category, you need to have a never-ending thirst for knowledge. And that’s where the qualitative research expertise of Joe Hengemuehler Consulting can help. So give us a call and tell us about the research project you’d like to start. We can help. 888-703-4636.

Oh, and I couldn’t resist. Here’s an image of that elusive lightning in a bottle.

It may be a brand that isn’t resonating. It may be a curiosity about which ad will cut through to consumers the fastest and with the most lasting impact. Or, it may be about how consumers feel about the company’s customer service. I’ve even had clients who want to go deep on the shape of the packaging of their product.

While the problems (let’s call them challenges from this point forward) that businesses face are varied, in most cases, each client is looking for the exact same thing from us; to help them unravel and reveal the truth about what motivates their current customer base and what might attract new business.

When clients come to us, one of the first things we do is put on our reporter’s hat. We start asking questions. Lots of questions: When this research project is done, what’s the most important thing you want to know about your own business? What will you do with the information you learn? In what areas do you see yourself as vulnerable? [We never ask the Barbara Walters question ‘If you could be a tree, what kind of tree would you be?”]

In a reporter’s world, all those questions would end up in a nicely packaged story told to television viewers at 6pm. “In 3, 2, 1, cue talent!”

In our world of qualitative research, those questions are just the beginning. We take the information and design a highly strategic discussion guide to be used in the focus groups.

For us, the focus groups are ‘show time’. It’s where we start to find truth. And I will tell you, there is nothing more gratifying than building a discussion guide that results in answers and insights that a client can act upon.

Let’s be honest. The insights aren’t always what the client wants to hear. But that’s why we do research. You’re being intentional about asking people to tell you what you need to hear so that you can grow your business and strengthen your brand. We all want to hear we’re great. It’s good — well, it’s great for the ego. But it doesn’t always help us forge ahead.

My advice to clients is consistent: You’ve already taken a courageous first step. You’ve commissioned a research project. The next step – and arguably the most courageous one of all, is to do something with the findings. To have information and do nothing with it is like a reporter missing the story of the day. No one wants to get scooped –especially when the success of your business and your brand is on the line.